Hi All,

Am new.

I have an opportunity to do a shop but it seems I cannot review the forms etc unless I "accept" the shop first.

There is a brief description. Audit 85 items and answer 15 questions.

My question, do I have to find all of the 85 items myself? It's a big store! I don't have to put them all in a cart, right? Just take a list to the manager so errors can be explained?

This could take awhile, right? Can I say here what the fee is?

I've been doing this (MS'ing in general) for almost four years now, and I've never taken one of the audits you describe, because it seemed too daunting for what they were paying. I considered it when the pay went up, but still have never tried one... but only because I have a bad back and I thought it sounded like an awful lot of standing and walking around.

However, I know several other regular posters here have, and should be able to provide pertinent and helpful advice.

I just wanted to post, to comment that I love your sig line.

I often wonder the exact same thing myself.

If it is Ikea, you may find that it is on a lot of "ten foot pole" lists.

I love your sig line too.

The audits I've done required me to find all the items, but to ask an employee before marking something as missing. And I had to get the employee to show me all the cigarettes. A few times that part has been time consuming because there was one employee and we had to stop for them to assist customers. But the one I do pays from 17 to 20 dollars and I take as many as I can because it's a relief to not have to memorize a bunch of stuff.

The OP did not give enough information as to what he's auditing, or if it's a competitor audit. If your going into a hostile store without a letter of authorization and doing a competition price check at an HH Gregs appliance store, you might as well not even get in the car and flake. Then fire the shopping company that asked you to do it. It's impossible to do that assignment and they will expect you to fill out an Excel spreadsheet at .10 cent per item. I spoke with a scheduler and laughed at her before I hung up the phone after I pulled the details of the shop out of her before clicking on it.

Then there are other MSC's with very easy audits that pay very well and are a single brand audit or department audit or cell store display audit. They come with a letter of authorization to hand to any employee or manager that questions you tasking photo's in the store. I will take those almost any time I see them.

It sounds like it's the Kmart audit-85 items and 15 questions. You'll have an associate walking with you. To minimize the time in the store, sit with the associate for a few minutes and list the departments you need to audit in the order you reach them in the store not in the order on your worksheet. That will cut down on your walking distance and time.

I've done a few and don't mind them, though I won't go out of my way to get them.

The K-Mart/Sears ones are pretty easy. Just make sure to allow yourself extra time (2+ hours) for your first one or two until you get the hang of them.

Good luck.

Yes Mr Bond, you are right!

I'm very new and think I got very lucky with having my first shops being Post Office ones.

I've done 5 for them and got all 10's but after reading a LOT here I won't be devastated if the 10's do not come in on my future shops.

As far as KMart....ok, 85 items to be checked......but they are not listed according to department? waaa? I'm going to do it because it's so close to where I live and I pretty much know the store inside-out already.

So, thank you sooooo much for the great advice, am so effing grateful !

I just signed up with about 5 companies in the last month and am getting lots of offers...but not ones, even as a newbie, that I would take. ( Get a wax...not your car...ouch...low fee, no reimbursment..really?)

Hi Maven,

Thanks for responding to me again! It's not Ikea, it's KMart. Thankfully, Ikea is too far from me to even consider a shop for them.

Am going to take the Kmart shop....it is "my" Kmart, I already know where everything is...so there is a comfort level there.

Thanks again!!!

Ok, remember I am VERY new!

Gulp. I just printed out the KMart report....gulp gulp..21 pages, most with 12 columns. Have to select 85 random items from different departments and/or circular items if they are on sale or special sale or store sale, is price right, is sign right, does it scan right, is it expired...a lot of numbers to report....the 15 ADA questions alone seem to be time consuming...says average time is 2-3 hours...my laptop would die...cannot imagine doing it all in writing, then fill in form online..and I think about bending this north of middle aged body over for eons..don't think I am experienced enough for this although I can't see anyone doing this for the first time unless they have had retail experience in their past.

I know from reading your reports here that backing out (flaking?) is not advised, but Holy Ravioli!

Am not doing it...nope nope nope..not for the $ offered......not for even double the $ offered!! Please don't scold me ;~)

Why won't they let you see the form before you accept the shop?

"Why won't they let you see the form before you accept the shop?"

Because you would run like Hell!

Beach Business...please re-read the instructions. Unless they've changed, the only numbers you report are for those items that scan the wrong price. You do have to report on the 15 ADA questions but those are fairly easy.

It looks intimidating. I've done 8 Kmart and 1 Sears [they're pretty much the same]. I think I've had 3 items come up with the wrong price.

"If there are no issues with the price, you only need to write down the Division number, UPC number, and check the OK column." "Always evaluate 85 items."

In addition to the 15 ADA questions, there is a "Price Scanner Verification" form. Scan up to 10 Price Scanners.

Ya know?

The price scanners are the ones mounted in the store for the customers to use. Most I've ever seen in a store is 2 and it's a simple grab an item that you know the price of, scan it, and see if the price that comes up is correct.

Beach Bumess, come on, just do it. James would never encourage you if it was a one-and-done shop. The only way you grow is to challenge yourself and, as I always tell myself, just think how good you'll feel when it's done. I would be willing to bet you that, after the first one, you will continue to take them.

(heart)

My first audit was for gas stations. NEVER AGAIN. I assumed the report would be quick and easy, sine it was advertised at $12. Oooh heck no! 20 pages and a ton of specific pictures and descriptions! It was awful!

This is not a gas station. I've done many gas stations and a Sears. The Sears was fast and easy; the gas stations were not.

(heart)

I know your's wasn't. I was just sharing my horrible audit experience.

My best experience was auditing a tax broker. That was fun. Also, Exit Interviews are my favorite. $70 for talking to customers and watching employees. Easy peasy.

I did one of thees sears audits (Kmart are the same) early on in my shopping career. It was not bad but looked like PITA at first. Just do it even if just for the experience. If you don't like it don't do it again.

I've done 5 of these now. First one took 2.5 hours, last one took 1 3/4 hours. They are good shops, (I like reveal audits though). Store has someone go around with you carrying a scanner to get the prices.

Hi BeachBumess,

I am not a new shopper, but I totally hear you. I did the same, printed out all the paperwork and read it all through thoroughly. "Uh, I don't think so," I said aloud to myself. I had even spoken with the MSC ahead of time and arranged a pretty decent fee. I felt badly, but the assignment seemed overwhelming and a bit confusing. I have more than 30 years of experience working in the retail industry, and still - nope. Like you, I also elected to cancel the assignment, which I seldom do. BTW, we might be of the same age or so. I recognized your title line. Many do not know of the days of Kmart's blow out "Blue Light Specials."

I do MS, audits and merchandising and have enjoyed conducting assignments for over 12 years. I have learned to be more selective, and I now do only the assignments that I ENJOY. I don't do everything that comes across my desk as I did in the beginning. Some are great, others are awful. But as other MS'ers have advised, try each type once at least and see what appeals to you. Everyone is different.

By the way, I truly enjoy doing the gas station audits others seem to despise. I contact the MS companies in advance and negotiate a higher fee than they initially offer. But once you get the hang of it, they are not bad at all. I also love doing shops for banks, restaurants and the post office.




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Just do your best and let God do the rest.

Yes the old kmart blue light specials and the netzero free internet or 9.95 a month cd rom discs. The ole days.